EVIDENCE FOR THE PHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTION OF ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE

Abstract

The evidence for a possible role of intestinal alkaline phosphatase in the physiologic state is offered in this paper. A phosphate transport system operating at a physiological pH is found in the upper part of the small intestine where the alkaline phosphatase is maximally concentrated. The phosphate transport was affected by various inhibitors and antiserum to rat intestinal alkaline phosphatase. In conclusion, alkaline phosphatase may function not only as a hydrolytic enzyme of phosphoester but also as a phosphate transporter in the physiologic state.